Posted by chicagomedia.org on May 14, 2008 at 10:19:51:
05/13/08 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Chicago Sky
CHICAGO - The WNBA Chicago Sky and Weigel Broadcasting Co. have signed an agreement to broadcast eight 2008 regular season Sky games on Me-TV, WMME-TV, Channel 23.
"Me-TV is a great, locally-owned partner for us," said Sky CEO Margaret Stender. "They are very supportive of what we are building, enthusiastic about marketing and televising our games, and we share a strong commitment to our community."
Neal Sabin, executive vice president, Weigel Broadcasting Co., echoed Stender's sentiment. "We are pleased to continue our relationship with the Sky. The partnership is a natural; both our brands provide a family environment. And when the Sky is on Me-TV, Channel 23, viewers will get both great basketball on Me-TV and classic television programming on Me-Too, Channel 48."
The Sky also announced its 2008 television broadcast team, with Eric Collins returning for his third season calling play-by-play for the Sky's televised games. Joining Collins as the Sky's new TV color analyst is veteran Bulls center, Stacey King.
The following Sky games will be broadcast on Me-TV, Channel 23:
Date Day Opponent Game Time
May 22 Thursday Sacramento 7pm
May 29 Thursday Minnesota 7pm
June 3 Tuesday Los Angeles 7pm
June 13 Friday Washington 7:30pm
June 28 Saturday Detroit 7pm
July 22 Tuesday Indiana 7pm
September 4 Thursday Seattle 7pm
September 14 Sunday Houston 3pm
Me-TV, WWME-TV is seen on Broadcast Channel 23, Comcast 223, RCN 14, WOW 17 (City), 19 (Suburbs), AT&T U-Verse 23, Direct TV 23, and Dish Network 23.
Collins also does college football, basketball and softball play-by-play for ABC Sports and ESPN. He called this year's NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament and has called the College World Series and USA Women's Softball. Prior to ESPN, Collins worked for both ABC and Fox Sports as an anchor and reporter. Collins was the original radio voice of the Schaumburg Flyers minor league baseball team from 1999-2001, and he was the Bulls television sideline reporter in the late 90's.
King was the 1989 Big Eight Player of the Year and a First Team All-American for Oklahoma before playing on three Bulls world championship teams (1991-93). He then moved to the CBA as head coach of the Rockford Lightning, eventually leading them to a championship game for the first time in 16 years. After four years as head coach, King returned to professional basketball as a pre- and post-game studio analyst for the Bulls on Comcast SportsNet. He soon joined Tom Dore and long-time Bulls broadcaster Johnny "Red" Kerr as game analyst for all Chicago Bulls broadcasts.
All Sky home and away games will also be broadcast on WVON 1690 AM. Les Grobstein returns for his second season calling play-by-play, with Tauja Catchings returning as color analyst.
The Sky is one of seven independently-owned teams in the WNBA, the world's longest-running women's professional sports league. The Sky tips-off its 2008 season on May 17 against the Seattle Storm and plays the season home opener on May 22 against the Sacramento Monarchs at 7:00pm at the UIC Pavilion. The Sky celebrated its inaugural season in 2006, and finished a successful sophomore season with a 14-20 record and guard Armintie Price named WNBA Rookie of the Year. The team chose 6'6" LSU star Sylvia Fowles with the number two pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. For more information and to purchase 2008 season tickets, visit www.chicagosky.net.